UTERLargemouth bass fishing in Michigan freshwater
In Michigan freshwater, largemouth bass peak June–July and September and are around May–October, spawning in June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: On the beds in the inland lakes and Lake St. Clair's bays.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Largemouth bass in Michigan freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArrivingCatch-and-release bass in the warming bays; harvest season opens later.
- JuneSpawningOn the beds in the inland lakes and Lake St. Clair's bays.
- JulyPeak
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish largemouth bass near Au Sable River, Pere Marquette, Houghton Lake
Eleven thousand inland lakes for walleye, pike, bass and panfish, the Au Sable and Pere Marquette trout rivers, and the Great Lakes' runs (see the lake guides).
What to use for largemouth bass
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 62–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch largemouth bass in Michigan freshwater?
Peak season is June–July and September, with fish spawning in June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Largemouth bass are in Michigan freshwater May–October. June: On the beds in the inland lakes and Lake St. Clair's bays.
Where do largemouth bass hold in Michigan freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, pond / pit, river, creek / stream, dock / pilings — around Au Sable River, Pere Marquette, Houghton Lake, Lake St. Clair, Burt Lake, Manistee River.
What is the best bait for largemouth bass in Michigan freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for largemouth bass in Michigan freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/license-info.
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